AFTER a weekend without a game, this week has seen training carry on with the same intensity demanded by Brian McDermott and, as the Whitehaven game approaches, we continue to work very hard on the changes Big Mac has introduced in an attempt to turn losses into wins.

A lot of people are, understandably, describing this weekend as ‘must win’, and whilst there is no denial inside the camp that it is an important game, it will not define the season.

It goes without saying we want to win and hopefully we will achieve that but, if we don’t, does it mean we are down – absolutely not!

There will still be plenty of points still to play for and there is a real desire to get out of our present predicament. If we focus only on this match then we are missing the point and, regardless of what happens Sunday, then we might as well sack the season off and we certainly will not be doing that.

We also need to talk about the announcement that Australia and New Zealand will not be taking part in this year’s world cup.

I know for a fact that this is a massive blow for the game’s hierarchy and that they were literally given a few minutes’ notice before the official announcement. It’s potentially devastating for the organisers who have done a fantastic job in keeping the profile of the competition in people’s minds throughout the pandemic.

For Australasia to now pull out has been described as “ selfish, parochial and cowardly” by Simon Johnson, the chairman of the Rugby Football League. I, for one, echo those sentiments and for me it demonstrates their thoughts on international rugby league.

What is particularly galling about it is that the same countries have already sent teams over here – New Zealand to play cricket, and the Aussies will be here playing a series of union internationals in October – the same time as the World Cup! Both countries have athletes in Tokyo for the Olympic Games where clearly there is a Covid issue. It seems the NRL clubs are using their power to get what they want ahead of their new season as, by all accounts, they are the ones not happy with players having to quarantine when they return.

Is it a problem that can be fixed? I am not so sure. If it goes ahead this year without them the tournament will be less of an occasion, as they are the two favourites to win it and if it is delayed to next year then there is still no certainty that it will go ahead and it has all kinds of implications, financially particularly, which could cause massive issues.

It seems that players have not been particularly well consulted, probably because they would have wanted to come!

I would propose going ahead to teach them they do not control everything, and even sicken them more by winning it ourselves. I know only too well however it is not a straightforward decision.